NY S06817

Adds General City Law § 18-e to establish statewide standards for how cities must regulate street vendors, including those selling food or merchandise from carts, trucks, or on foot.

Prohibits cities from requiring street vendors to operate only in specific areas, restricting total numbers of vendors, or obtaining consent from non-governmental entities, except for objective health, safety, or welfare concerns.

Allows cities to require permits, business licenses, and compliance with sanitary conditions and disability access standards, while permitting alternative identification documents (driver's license, ITIN, or municipal ID) in place of Social Security numbers.

Establishes penalty structure: first violation up to $100, second violation up to $200, additional violations up to $300, with higher penalties ($200-$400) for vending without required permits; prohibits criminal charges and requires consideration of ability to pay.

Mandates dismissal of pending criminal prosecutions for street vending violations and allows prior convictions to be petitioned for dismissal if they would not have been violations under this new law.